Boldfaced statements are parts of the original essay (or a subsequent reply) to which the respondent has directed his comments.Italicized/emphasized comments prefaced by (R) are those of the respondent and are presented unedited.
My replies appear under the respondent's comments in blue text and are prefaced by my initials (MB).

(R) Finally, I have found someone equally annoyed with gum chewing. Makes me wish I lived in Singapore so I could have some peace! Enjoyed the essay!(MB) Thanks! I was thinking that there might actually be
some productive uses for gum chewing. For example, taping and replaying the
snap-crackle-pop-squish noises at amplified levels could work wonders in a
campaign of psychological operations to encourage the surrender of people who
have barricaded themselves inside buildings. It might just replace the current
use of loud, atonal music played at all hours of the day and night. Or, perhaps
a group of cud-chomping cops could use the noise to elicit confessions from
suspects. Hmmmm.... *grin*